Westport Island Shellfish Committee Meeting

May 20, 2008

Meeting Minutes

Present: Jay Siegars, Donna Curry, Lincoln Richardson, Joe Donahue,

Approval of minutes from previous meeting: Minutes from previous meeting were approved by committee members

Squam Creek Water Sampling: Postponed until Clem can share his update.

Westport Island: Twelve-Year Shoreline Survey: Sanitation survey has to be done every 12 years in open (classified as approved) areas. This is done by the state. The shoreline survey is required for any open area. Lincoln will find out how long ago our survey was done.

McCarty Cove Reserve for Recreational Digging: We need to do a sampling to see about opening McCarty Cove for recreational clamming. We’ll try to do a sampling on Saturday, May 10^th, at 9:00 AM. After Ron gives us feedback, we’ll learn whether it’s ready for clamming.

Flat closure during January - February: A question was posed about closing the flats during January – February so that clams won’t be frozen when they’re dug over. The committee, along with Forest, supports the idea of closure for two months. Lincoln will complete the application [cold water conservation measures would be the reason] for closure.

Survey Mill Cove Flat: We will do a clam survey on the 13^th (Sunday) at 10:30 to see whether we need to reseed the flat. It is presently open. [Park at Bunyon Preserve, down his driveway.] Lincoln will notify Paul Bunyon that folks will be coming.

Warden’s Report: No one reported illegal diggers. Eugene will submit an application to attend the warden’s training.

License Issue: Licenses will be issued on May 1.

Update on Requirements for Residential Diggers:

The information for residential diggers is not accurate. Ron will send us the url for the website for closures on Westport Island. Donna will update it, share it with the rest of the committee, then submit it to Michelle to hand out to individuals buying a license. [Attached is the revised draft handout for residential diggers along with a map of the entire Island, thanks to Ron!]

Next meeting: The next meeting will be held on May 6, 2008, when the following items will be part of the agenda:

Student licenses
Shellfish ordinance update

Action Items:

ü Lincoln will find out how long ago our survey was done.

ü Lincoln will notify Paul Bunyon that folks will be coming

ü Ron will send us the url for the website for closures on Westport Island.

ü Donna will update it, share it with the rest of the committee, then submit it to Michelle to hand out to individuals buying a license.

Conservation Credit Update as of April 8, 2008

Individual	Activity	Date	Points Accrued
Forest Smith	Committee meeting	May 1, 2007	2
	Clam “school”	May 12, 2007	4
	Seeding and brushing of Fowles Cove	June 2, 2007	4
	Survey of McCarty Cove	June 9, 2007	4
	Committee meeting	October 2, 2007	2
	Committee meeting	February 12, 2008	2
	Committee meeting	April 8, 2008	2
		TOTAL TO DATE	20
Mike Innes	Committee meeting	May 1, 2007	2
	Clam “school”	May 12, 2007	4
	Committee meeting	May 21, 2007	2
	Seeding and brushing of Fowles Cove	June 2, 2007	4
	Committee meeting	August 6, 2007	2
	Committee meeting	September 4, 2007	2
	Committee meeting	October 2, 2007	2
	Committee meeting	January 8, 2008	2
	Committee meeting	February 12, 2008	2
	Committee meeting	March 18, 2008	2
		TOTAL TO DATE	24

Respectfully submitted,

Lincoln Richardson Clem Sledge

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Dave Bertran Donna Curry

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David Besecker Eugene Fairfield

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Joe Donahue

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Westport Island

Shellfish Committee

ALL shellfish digging on Westport Island requires a valid license issued by the Town. Fees collected through the license program are used for seeding and other operations necessary to maintain and grow the shellfish population.

It is unlawful for any person to dig or take shellfish from the shores and flats of Westport Island without having a current license that is signed and dated. The flats are patrolled by volunteer shellfish wardens who may request to inspect the license. Joe Donohue, Lincoln Richardson, Eugene Fairfield, and Clem Sledge are the appointed volunteer Shellfish Wardens for the town of Westport Island. All Wardens are residents of Westport Island.

Do Westport Island residents need to have a license for recreational digging?

All Westport Island residents require a license. The term "resident" refers to a person who has been domiciled on Westport Island for at least the previous six months.

Can nonresidents dig recreationally on Westport Island?

A license is available to nonresidents and entitles the holder to dig and take shellfish from the shores and flats of Westport Island. The term "nonresident" means anyone not residing on the Island for at least six months.

How do I get a license?

Any person may apply to the Town Clerk for the license. The Town Clerk shall issue licenses to residents and nonresidents as allocated from May 1st and until July 31 after which licenses shall be issued to residents and nonresidents on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the cost of a shellfish license?

A resident recreational license is $15 per person. A nonresident recreational license is $30 per person. Recreational shellfish license fees will be waived for applicants 65 years or older and 12 years or younger, but are still required to have a valid license.

Is there a limit to the amount of shellfish I can dig? Those holding valid licenses may dig and take no more than one peck of shellfish in any one day for the use of themselves and their family.

Is there a limit to the size of shellfish I can dig?

It is unlawful for any person to possess soft shell clams on Westport Island which are less than two (2) inches in the longest diameter.

Where can I dig clams on Westport Island?

Digging is limited. Please check the Maine Department of Marine Resources at http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/public_health/closures/closedarea.htm#N for closed areas. Areas of concern for Westport Island are 21B, 21C, and 21D.